15:35 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 7m 22.9s

Theatre Guide^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152

20/1

Something of an in-and-out season for him, highlights being a Cheltenham win in December and a good third in the Betbright Handicap Chase at Kempton in February, but some middling efforts in between those, and bottom line is that the handicapper has him where he wants him.

Form: 281738

Just A Par^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149

16/1

Winner of this back in 2015, and just touched off in the race last year, so clearly neither track nor likely quick ground holds any fears for him. Game winner at Newbury in March shows he's lost none of his spark, and only 1lb higher than last year, has to be one of the main candidates for this again.

Form: 02-4P10

The Young Master^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 148

8/1

Not really happened for him yet this season, with an early fall in the Grand National last time not part of the plan either, but had dropped a big hint when a running-on sixth in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham. Won this from the same mark last year and simply too well handicapped to ignore.

Form: 31-F06F

Le Reve^b²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 146

33/1

Pulled up in this last year after a bad mistake cost him any chance, but does like the venue and was third to Just A Par in this in 2015. Recent warm-up effort at Ascot didn't show him in a great light, however, and has a bit to prove now. Others hold stronger claims.

Form: 150P-U9

The Druids Nephew^v1⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143

6/1

Ought to have won more for one of his talents, and looks good when on song but patience starting to wear thin now, despite a very good looking handicap mark. Fifth in this from 10lb higher last year, and will tempt many in again, but comes with risks attached.

Form: 62P5-97

Present Man^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

12/1

Has picked up the winning habit this season, victorious in four of his last five starts but they have all come in small fields and it remains to be seen how he'll cope with the hurly-burly of this better race. Likes quick ground but unproven at the trip. Questions to answer.

Form: 1U1141

Rock The Kasbah⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142

8/1

Jumping not always the best, and can make mistakes, but hard to knock what he's acheieved this season and latest second to the fast-improving American at Uttoxeter is a very solid piece of form. However, no form over this trip and the ground likely to be plenty quick enough as well, so others preferred.

Form: 132412

Vyta Du Roc⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137

6/1

Looked like becoming a high-class stayer at one point but it's all gone downhill this season, and he's now on an 8lb lower mark than he was around this time last year. Another poor effort when last seen out in February (made favourite), jumping moderately, and simply too much to prove now.

Form: 55-36P5

Whats Happening^t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 136

14/1

Stays well and won over 3m4f at Cheltenham back in 2015. Absent for 16 months before reappearance at Exeter in February this year when an excellent second to Perfect Candidate in a veterans handicap, but not so good in the Kim Muir last time. Nicely handicapped if he can be coaxed back to best, and not discounted.

Form: P31/1-20

Benbens⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135

14/1

Good staying handicapper and turned in a cracking effort last week to be third to Vincente in the Scottish National at Ayr, doing some good late work, and as he's 2lb lower here, nothing wrong with his mark, but asking a lot to take this in after such an effort. Obvious chance if over that, but it's a big ask.

Form: 1058-P3

Sugar Baron^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

8/1

Early unseat at the first in the Scottish National last week means he takes his chance here instead, and previous staying-on sixth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham had hinted at the promise of more to come. Slight concern that all wins have come in single-figure fields, but not discounted all the same.

Form: 0-1F36F

Doing Fine^p,t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129

9/2

Improving quickly and as he's on the same mark as an easy victory at Cheltenham last time (could be called the winner a long way out), his chance is obvious. Trip, track and likely quick ground all ideal, will creep into this on the final lap and if jumping fluently, hard to see him not taking a hand in the finish.

Form: F-52221

Henllan Harri^b²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 122

40/1

Tends to ply his trade at a lower level than this and although successful at Ffos Las in March, that was on heavy ground and in a much lower grade race than this. Plenty on his plate here if he's to get involved, and improvement a necessity.

Form: 325123

Forecasts

Doing Fine (9/2), Vyta Du Roc (6/1), The Druids Nephew (6/1), Rock The Kasbah (8/1), Sugar Baron (8/1), The Young Master (8/1), Present Man (12/1), Benbens (14/1), Whats Happening (14/1), Just A Par (16/1), Theatre Guide (20/1), Le Reve (33/1), Henllan Harri (40/1)

He's obvious, but that chance of DOING FINE is outstanding and the handicapper would give him another 8lb to carry if he could. Everything looks in place for a big run and if avoiding the traffic as he makes his way through the field, will take plenty of beating. Whats Happening is on a good mark if you forgive his run in the Kim Muir and may bounce back. The Young Master gives Neil Mulholland a strong hand here, along with the frustrating-yet-talented The Druids Nephew, and they are both capable of picking some prizes up. Another good run from Just A Par wouldn't surprise.